Makeup basics.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Makeup can be a very complex thing. Then again, it can be very simple. It is all about the tools and technique. Let me start you out with th...

Makeup can be a very complex thing. Then again, it can be very simple. It is all about the tools and technique. Let me start you out with the few basics for learning how to use makeup. There are many things you can apply makeup with and there are many ways to create a look.

Here are the most basic tips I can give you in my experience and knowledge.

1. Makeup brushes. Say what? No sponge tip applicators or fingers?
Say good bye to sponge tip applicators and hello makeup brushes. You are thinking, wait what? Why would I spend money on that, when I get a sponge applicator with the makeup I buy at the store?

Well, girl your life will change if you consider makeup brushes. Don't worry about which to use and how many or what to do with them. That is why I am making this blog. Sponge tip applicators are not bad, but they are not as effective, especially if you want to apply to your crease(don't know what your crease is? I will educate you). Here are a few basics that I bought a few years ago.
To your left is a picture of makeup brushes. These are sold at Target and are less than $10.

Starting from the left, the first one is a powder brush. You can use this for blush, powder foundation, and bronzer. This is a simple one, so it is good to start off with. Just simply dab the brush in the product of choice, and lightly brush on face.

Second one is either for a brow bone(the bone below your eyebrows), or eye lid which you high light with a skin tone or whiter eye shadow. What ever works for your skin type.

Third one is for your eye lid. You pack on the color you want and lightly press it on your lid.
Fourth one is an angle brush, which you use for your eye liner. You can use eye shadow or gel liner.
Fifth, is for your eye lashes and eye brow. You use the eye lash one if your mascara is lumpy and you want to clear that up. You use the eye brow one to smooth and shape your brows.

Another brush to consider, but is optional for a beginner is a foundation brush. It can help smooth out the foundation more and make it look less greasy because our hands have natural oils.

And lastly, a fluffy blending brush. It is great for blending the crease. I will go into more detail in a later post.

2. Why finding the right shade of foundation is important and how to find it.
This is a tricky one. One thing I advise you do is go to a mall and ask a makeup lady to find your shade. Granted, it would be a shade for that foundation(because all foundations are labeled different), but it will give you an idea.
Another way to find your shade is at the drugstore, sometimes you can sample the foundation, and a good way to see if it will match it trying it on your inside of your wrist. That way, if it matches, it will be close to your face.
It is important to find the right shade because you will either look like a ghost or orange tan lady. Nothing is worst than everyone actually seeing your foundation. Not to mention, if you have acne the too light foundation will make your pimples look purple. Try finding your shade as close as you can.
Another thing to consider is what type of foundation is right for your skin. That is a whole other post. There is tinted, liquid foundation, powder foundation, and creme foundation.

3. Top TEN products you should start off with:1. If you don't need to cover up much, meaning acne, redness, or scars, start off with a tinted moisturizer. It has a hint of color that looks natural.
If you have things to cover, you can get more coverage.2. Face primer. This is actually important. If you want your foundation is actually stay on your face for more than an couple of hours, invest in a face primer. You don't have to spend a lot of money. Hard candy brand has a nice on and you can get it at the drugstore. You put the face primer on before your foundation so it can have something to cling to.3. Eye base/primer. This will keep your eye shadow on longer. Again, hard candy has a good one. I am only mentioning primers because in all truth, eye shadow and foundation just will fade and come off without them.4. You don't need blush, but a bronzer is very nice in shaping your face. Find one that is two shades darker than your skin tone and use it right under your cheek bone, temple and under your neck to not only let you have a natural tan, but give your face dimension. You won't look flat. DO NOT over do it!6. Lip color. It can be simple as lipgloss. Do something. I have found out that if you do your whole face and do nothing to your lips, it throw the look off. You need something.7. Neutral eye shadow. You do not need to start off with dramatic colors. Get some browns, greens, copper, beige.8. Eye brow gel/eye shadow. I prefer using eye shadow for the eye brows. I am not sure if beginners need this step, but doing a little to your eye brows can dramatically give you a better look!9. Eye liner. Just a simple pencil will work. Black is common, but if you like brown better go for it. Make a simple line and you don't need to go on your water line(the line on your bottom lashes).10. Mascara. You can use what ever you prefer. One tip, make sure you do not have any fall out or product stuck on your eye lids.

Concealer is an option. If you really need it, there a so many kinds. Again another blog post.

I know what you must be thinking. I felt the same way. SO MANY PRODUCTS! I started out with some foundation, mascara, eye liner and one eye shadow.
If you want actually get into makeup and applying it properly, these are the basics. No more high school makeup; it is makeup that is meant to be.

If you are in high school, I would advice to look natural, because you are young. You do not want to look thirty. You want to enhance your beauty, not over do it.

Anyway, if you have any questions or have any ideas to add, comment below!